On Tuesday 12/01/2021, the world lost a great young man. Samuel Alfred Bartolo, aged 19, was involved in a car and truck crash resulting in Sam losing his life. The young carpenter was simply on his way to his second day back at work but unfortunately never made it there.
Samuel lived at home with his family, Benjamin, Grace, Anthony and Rebecca. Recently moving from Blacktown, Samuel was a hard worker who, alongside his family, worked to fix up their new house in Silverdale. He had spent the past year working on the house, fixing the walls, laying flooring, organising the roof and even building an entire cat cage out the back of the house. It had finally reached the stage where Sam could relax and enjoy his life.
Samuel was an avid clay target shooter, travelling with his family all across Australia to attend different gun clubs and compete in competitions. Everyone knew the Bartolo family, they were well known in the clay target world and even made the news with their events. Sam was well loved by everyone and made many life-long friends along the way.
Sam was a family man, always doing everything with his parents, siblings and even his aunts, uncles and cousins. Just recently he had spent a week at Dargle, his favourite water ski park, with his family. He spent the week skiing, playing cards and huddling from the pouring rain. Sam loved skiing and was an absolute natural, starting from just 5 years old. He had just bought his first, brand-new ski the Sunday before his passing and took it out with his Uncle and Cousins to test it out down at the river. He only got to use his ski once before he passed but he was so happy and proud to show of his new ski to his family.
Sam had just begun to go off-roading in his 1995 GQ Patrol. It was his baby that he didn't want to get rid of despite how much it cost to fix up. He had so many plans for his 4WD from upgrading his engine to adding a snorkel and even fitting a 2 inch lift. Despite the endless list of upgrade, he still went off-roading with his family going to Lithgow for his test run and the Hunter Valley for his mum's birthday. Caves to Caves was his next trip where he went with Anthony, Kalinda and a few of Anthony's workmates to go off-roading from Lithgow to Mittagong through the National Park. The smile on Sam's face as he went through the river crossing is one to never be forgotten. His final trip was when Sam took his Patrol to the Coffs Coast with Anthony and Kalinda, he had always wanted to go beach driving and he made sure it happened and he had an absolute blast doing so. Unfortunately that was the end of 4WD trips as his baby started playing up however we all continued to plan the next trip and even booking a date to plan our 2022 Australia trip.
We would like to raise money to help fund an annual clay target shooting event in honour of Sam. Using the money to pay for the event itself and even to buy a perpetual trophy in his memory. A trophy which will always be around for Sam and will be won by those who can shoot the best in Sam's favourite event. The money will also be used to pay for Sam's funeral as we all want to make sure we get the best for him.
Samuel may be gone but he won't be forgotten. Despite him not being in his room playing his playstation or even just sleeping through his annoying alarms, he is still around. We all miss you Sam.